Smart Manufacturing

Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, the Japanese firm, has begun exploring opportunities to build and develop locations as “smart” manufacturing locations in Thailand, including a notable partnership with AMATA to share knowledge between the two firms regarding their respective experiences involving smart cities. In the final stages of the partnership, the two companies will explore a shared factory project to operate as a smart facility in Thailand.

Reflecting both AMATA's economic success in operating industrial parks within Thailand and Hitachi High-Tech's experience with technological excellence, the two companies announced their collaboration on a proof-of-concept project to explore and eventually to develop a Smart City within Thailand. Upon completion of the project, both firms expect to derive valuable commercial experience in developing and managing their respective manufacturing projects in the near future and thereafter.

Mr. Junichi Hashimoto, Vice President and Executive Officer of Hitachi High-Tech, says, “The Hitachi group has a long history of friendship with Thai industry.” Citing the importance of the Eastern Economic Corridor and the government’s new Thailand 4.0 program, he continues, “As one of the largest trading organizations among the group, Hitachi High-Tech has been interested in smart cities in Thailand, especially the one currently planned and being developed by AMATA.” Asked about particular attractions to working with AMATA, Mr. Hashimoto cites the company’s collaborative approach and its “All-Win” philosophy, adding that AMATA demonstrates “Thailand's bid to lead high-tech industry in Asean.”

As an experienced operator of industrial estates in Thailand, AMATA offers Hitachi High-Tech invaluable experience and insight into many practical aspects of building and operating locations similar to the planned new facility. “In our experience,” says Mr. Hashimoto, “AMATA's experience in Nakorn should be used as a trial for the new area.” At the same time, Hitachi High-Tech's expertise in manufacturing technology offers substantial opportunities for AMATA to continue developing its own smart city projects. “After the trial of whatever we can do together,” says Mr. Hashimoto, “we want AMATA to apply it to AMATA Nakorn.”

The trial project, or “proof of concept,” is contemplated to result in a state-of-the-art shared manufacturing facility for use by Hitachi High-Tech's clients for their manufacturing needs in Thailand. Making use of Hitachi High-Tech technology, those clients will be able to operate the facility remotely from Japan while making use of Thailand's competitive manufacturing advantages. Especially important will be a factory-wide array of cameras and communication terminals. Hitachi High-Tech currently envisions this smart factory appealing primarily to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).